The Beginning: Cloth Diapers

A lot of you already know I cloth diaper and LOVE it! So much so, I'm what you could call "addicted" although I'm trying desperately to hop on the wagon to recovery. What most of you don't know is why. If you know me at all, this doesn't seem like something I would go for, as I'm always about the latest "great" thing to make life easier & uncomplicated. Let's face it: Cloth diapering certainly doesn't make life easier. It just adds to the piles and piles of laundry already waiting to be washed & folded. Not to mention, having to deal with cleaning off poop? GUUUHHHHROSSSSSSSS!!!!!! Right?

One thing I never could anticipate is how I would feel/see things when I was pregnant. I spent HOURS on Babycenter and other baby-related websites, looking/researching and making sure what I was purchasing was not only top-rated but top ranked in safety, cost-effective and the BEST for my baby. In all of this researching, I came across discussions for cloth diapers. I started looking into it more vs. disposables and the more I looked at it, the more I thought it made sense but all the choices though were so overwhelming and I just couldn't FATHOM washing DIRTY DIAPERS?! GUUUUHHHHHROOOSSSSSS!!!!

So I found a local diapering service - Tidee Didee which delivers and picks up the dirties and brings me new ones! How cool was THAT?! After a small talk with Pappa Bear, he agreed to try it out. We only had a four week commitment, and we could at least give it that long to try, yes? At the service's recommendation, we started off on an 80 diaper (prefolds) a week rotation. Holy COW! That was a LOT of diapers!! After our first week, Pappa Bear though that it really was no different than changing disposable ('sposie) diapers and I agreed! It just took one extra step, a little coordination and know how and voila! Easy as pie! Of course they were HUGE on our little guy - just check it out for yourself:

 See how big his bottom half is? He looks like a pear!

 

Once Cubby started solids (around 5ish months or so) and his diaper started to have more solids in it, I thought I'd give washing/caring for our own cloth diapers a try. The main reason? Not only to cut costs, but man - they were so darn CUUUUUUTE! Turns out, it was all easy peasy as pie. Well, almost. We've had some stink issues, a suedecloth reaction, an eczema flare-up and oh the dreaded MUSH poop that required the installation and use of a diaper sprayer but for the most part - it's been a breeze! Besides, you can't capture this kind of adorable-cuteness in 'sposies, right?!!

 

Black Friday Specials and Limited Coupon Code!

First, I have to rave about how awesome Michelle of RG Natural Babies is. When I was thinking about getting some fleece liners, instead of just trying to sell me what she had - she connected me with a wonderful mama, Jessica of Zing Slings who custom made me some (yes, I know you crafty mamas are going to say "you can just make them yourself" but I'm not that handy)!

Michelle has always given me AWESOME customer service, so much so I keep going back whenever I need something (even if she doesn't have it in stock) or just questions on products! If you don't "know" her yet, you should! You can follow her on Twitter, become a Facebook Fan and even follow her blog Go Green Wisconsin that she writes with Kristin of My Baby Pumpkin (who is by the way, another very awesome, fabulous mama).

Okay, enough of my shameless plugs and here are the deals/specials you've been waiting for!!

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Now that the cold months are upon us, what better item to stock up on than LEG HUGGERS!!! Buy 2 and get one FREE!

Are you in the market for BumGenius One Size diapers? Buy 9 and get one FREE!

Isn't it GREAT to get FREE stuff? Especially when you're buying something anyway? So wait, there's MORE! With EVERY order you place, you'll get a FREE Rockin' Green Detergent Sample AND a FREE sample of Soap Nuts! AND starting with every order over $20, you have your choice of additional free stuff! See for yourself!

There are also MORE awesome deals going on! just head on over to RG Natural Babies and see all of the Black Friday Specials she has listed!

BLACK FRIDAY BONUS: Every order placed will be entered into a drawing for a Thirsties Duo Diaper and all orders over $100 will be entered to win your choice of not one but TWO Pocket Diapers and a Medium Wet Bag on available stock. What do you think of that???

If you happen to miss the Black Friday bonus, don't worry! From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, place an order over $100 and you will be entered to win a custom diaper bag courtesy of Brooke of BrookeVanGoryDesigns (must pay shipping). I don't have one of these superlicious bags YET, but I have been drooling like mad over one!

As a very special thank you, Michelle is offering TWO of my readers a chance for some additional savings in addition to her Black Friday specials!

COUPON SPECIALS & CODE
$5 off an order over $25 with code NikBF5 and
$10 off an order over $55 with code NikBF10.


Please note: these codes are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE to be used on BLACK FRIDAY ONLY - each coupon code is good only ONCE!

Good Luck & Happy Shopping!!!

Black Friday

Every year I avoid Black Friday like the plague. I dislike people being rude, shoving and not to mention I'm so NOT a morning person to be up super early to catch some deal. Really? I prefer to shop from the comfort of my living room in my jammies with my Starbuck's in my hand :) This year, I have the chance to offer YOU, two of my readers a very special deal from one awesome retailer, RG Natural Babies!

So stick around and look for my post on Friday! Good luck and Happy Shopping!

Cloth Diaper Swap!

WARNING: This post is full of shameless plugs.

First, I would like to say THANK YOU to Megan over at Newlywed, Newlybred for hosting such an awesome, fun event! If you're reading this and wondering (what the heck?), you can read all about it on her page about the Cloth Diaper Swap.

AND if you don't follow Megan, you SHOULD. She finds the most... umm... shall I say... INTERESTING things to blog about and is funny as all get out. I almost die laughing when reading her posts. Check out her blog by clicking her button below!

Now that we got that out of the way, I have to say how much FUN this was for me to not only GET my fluffy mail package but also to shop and GIVE fluffy mail.

I received an awesome package from Renee of Monkeysnuggles. I was sooo excited because I absolutely ADORE her diapers! Renee sent me one of the Safari print fitted diapers I was coveting with a matching tee shirt for the Cub! What do you think?

ADORABLE, RIGHT???

Here's a close-up of the print:

 I have to RAVE a little bit about Renee and her diapers. I only have one other fitted diaper in an awesome print and it has been one of my FAVORITE diapers. She does quality work and the diaper fits well and is oh so squishy soft and absorbent. If I could, I'd buy more of them! If you want to see her awesome work, check out her shop on Etsy.

As for the rest of the goodies received for this swap, check out this link over at Newlywed, Newlybred!

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Megan for hosting! I know I had a good time & I sure hope you enjoy your Hostess with the Mostess package!!! :)

Edited to add action shots (10/30/09):

How happy is he in his new diaper and matching tee?